UPDATE: A number of former Fresno State football players have faced changes after the 53-man roster deadline. Jordan Mims was released from the Buffalo Bills and has signed with the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad. David Perales was waived from the Pittsburgh Steelers, but quickly re-signed to their practice squad. The Dallas Cowboys released Jalen Moreno-Cropper but re-signed him to their practice squad. Nikko Remigio was waived by the Kansas City Chiefs with an injury designation due to a wrist injury. 

Fresno State is prideful of its football  team and players. Some of the football program’s best have taken the step from college to the pros. Let’s see how some players are performing heading into their rookie campaigns. 

Jordan Mims 

After only two preseason games with the Buffalo Bills, former Bulldog running back Jordan Mims, has an opportunity to be a force for their offense in the 2023 season. 

Mims played with Fresno State from 2017-22 and is now playing for the Bills, whom he signed with as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft. So far Mims has played two preseason games, recording 47 rushing yards on 11 rushes. Mims also has 1 rushing touchdown across the two games. His third and final preseason opportunity will come on Saturday, Aug. 26 when the Bills face the Chicago Bears.    

David Perales 

Defensive end David Perales played for the Bulldogs from 2020-22. He eventually joined the Pittsburgh Steelers after going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft. 

Perales hasn’t played much over the NFL preseason, recording only two solo tackles across two games so far. He said to Sports Illustrated that he is putting this experience into perspective as the preseason continues. 

“You’ve just got to compete with yourself; no matter what position you are in, just become a better player everyday and soak in everything.  Keep on grinding.” Perales told Noah Strackbein of Sports Illustrated.

Perales will get another opportunity to prove himself on Thursday, Aug. 24 when the Steelers travel to Atlanta to take on the Falcons in the third and final preseason game for both teams.   

Jalen Moreno-Cropper

Jalen Moreno-Cropper played for Fresno State from 2019-22 as a wide receiver for the Bulldogs.  He signed on as an undrafted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys following the 2023 NFL Draft.  Moreno-Cropper has played sparingly throughout the two preseason games, only recording one catch for 19 yards.    

Jake Haener
Jake Haener, who was the star quarterback for the Bulldogs from 2019-22, was the only Bulldog drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, going to the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round at pick 127. With him joining the Saints, he gets the opportunity to join forces with former Bulldog Derek Carr. 

Haener has put together two solid performances so far in preseason play, compiling a stat line of 223 yards, one passing touchdown and one passing interception across two preseason games. While he still has more development to do as a young player, he is doing well in putting himself in consideration to be Derek Carr’s top backup a few years down the line. 

Nikko Remigio

Lastly, let’s turn our attention to Kansas City, where Former Fresno State wide receiver Nikko Remigio, who spent the 2022 season with the program,  signed to play with the Chiefs after going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft. Remigo has gotten himself involved in two preseason games, recording 71 reception yards on 4 receptions. One of those receptions includes this great catch he made when the Chiefs played the Saints. View that play by clicking here.